About the GFCC
The Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils (GFCC) is a network of leaders and organizations from around the world committed to competitiveness and higher living standards. Our members strive to achieve innovation, productivity and prosperity in their nations, regions and cities. The GFCC develops and implements concepts, initiatives and tools to navigate the complex competitiveness landscape and take action.
Thriving markets and people rely on both their own national policies and collaborations across the globe. In this spirit, the GFCC brings together experts for their mutual competitiveness and benefit, true to the motto of Accelerating Competitiveness through Collaboration. ​
Founded in 2010, the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils brings together more than sixty member organizations and is currently represented in more than 35 different countries around a collection of shared principles to enhance regional, national and global prosperity. ​
The GFCC aims to enable mutual learning within its distinctive network as well as across the extended network of GFCC partners. This leads to development and implementation of original, creative ideas, concepts and tools for members to navigate today’s complex competitiveness landscape. ​
The GFCC works with its members to catalyze cross-learning and creation of competitiveness and innovation strategies, policies and initiatives. For GFCC members, this is achieved through in-depth, high-level networking, analytical tools, advice and education.
​
Board Members
CHARLES O. HOLLIDAY JR. - Chairman
Former Chairman - Royal Dutch Shell, Bank of America & DuPont; Chairman Emeritus, Council on Competitiveness USA; Chairman, GFCC | USA
​
Charles O. (Chad) Holliday, Jr. is the Former Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell. He previously served as Chairman of the board of Bank of America and as Chairman and CEO of DuPont, the company he retired from after 36 years of service...
DEBORAH L. WINCE-SMITH - President
President and CEO, Council on Competitiveness; President, GFCC | USA
​
The Honorable Deborah L. Wince-Smith is the President & CEO of the Council on Competitiveness, a non-partisan leadership coalition of CEO’s, University Presidents, Labor Union Leaders, and National Laboratory Directors, all committed to...
OMAR AL-ANSARI
Secretary General, Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI Council) | Qatar
​
Omar is the Secretary General of the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council. Omar began his career in the Oil and Gas sector at ExxonMobil and continued in the manufacturing sector to support the development of Qatar’s...
ROBSON BRAGA DE ANDRADE
President, Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) | Brazil
​
Robson Braga de Andrade is President of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), Director of the Social Services for the Industry (SESI), President of the Board of the National Service for Industrial Training (SENAI) and President of the...
ISABEL CAPELOA GIL
President, Catholic University of Portugal (UCP) | Portugal
​
Isabel Maria de Oliveira Capeloa Gil is the President of the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP) and was elected in July of 2018 as President of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)...
GEORGE HANDJINICOLAOU
Chairman, Piraeus Bank | Greece
​
Chairman, non-executive member, of the Board of Directors of Piraeus Bank, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Athens Stock Exchange. He is also Chairman of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, a non-profit foundation...
CHARLES KIEFEL AM
Co-Chair, Australian Advisory Board on Technology and Health Competitiveness | Australia
​
Immediate past Chairman of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Board of Trustees No 1 for 10 years to August 2007. Worked in London with Lazard Brothers & Co. Limited and in New York with Lazard Freres before returning to Australia as Director...
RAY O. JOHNSON
Chief Executive Officer of the Technology Innovative Institute | UAE
​
Dr. Ray O. Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), as well as of ASPIRE,...
CHAD EVANS - Treasurer
Executive Vice-President, Council on Competitiveness | USA
​
As Council EVP overseeing all programs and initiatives, Chad develops and manages the Council's policy agenda and workstream, including: development of the Council's flagship "National Commission on Innovation & Competitiveness Frontiers;" creating...
ROBERTO ALVAREZ - Secretary to the Board
Executive Director, Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils | USA
​
Roberto Alvarez is a systems-thinker and doer who has been working at the intersections of technology, business, policy, global issues and communications for more than 25 years. A native from Brazil, he has worked and implemented joint initiatives with...
Blog (latest)
Innovation is a Key Ingredient to Competitiveness
Creating Prosperity through Competitiveness Priorities